Pit bulls have been given, according to many owners, a bad rap. There are actually several breeds that fall under the term “pit bull” (American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, etc.). Even though there are popular TV shows and movies featuring pit bulls (Our Gang, Cheaper by the Dozen, the Dog Whisperer, etc.), most people look at this breed with a watchful eye. But some people feel the pit bull has been given a bad name (see www.badrap.org).

I have heard stories of pit bulls doing serious damage, mostly to children. Whenever I’ve gone door to door, even when I was a teen, I would give lots of space to pit bulls. Yet I have also heard of famous pit bulls who served as soldiers, police dogs, and search and rescue dogs. Norton was a pit bull who saved his owner’s life after receiving a severe reaction to a spider bite. Titan saved his owner’s wife who almost died of an aneurysm. And famous D-Boy was a pit bull who stopped an intruder one night and willingly took three bullets to save his family.

Research and studies have been conducted on dog bites and fatal dog attacks in the United States to determine if pit bulls are more likely to hurt humans. It appears the evidence is not in their favor, though there are studies that are inconclusive. There are actually breed-specific legislations in many states in the U.S.

Bad Rap

Whether you agree or disagree with the “bad rap” given to the pit bull, there is a reputation foisted upon God by the devil that is really bad. In fact, it has been the purpose of our enemy to deliver a distorted picture of God to make people think the Lord is unjust, unmerciful, and uninterested. He whispers lies like, “If God really cared, people would not get sick or die or hurt or be abused…” Or, “The Lord is angry with sinners and stokes the fires of hell to burn lost people forever…” Or, “God doesn’t answer your prayers because the Lord is too busy with more important things…”

If you have fallen for any of these monster myths, it is time to put them to rest. Instead of listening to twisted ideas from the radio or Internet, I suggest you go to the only source of truth that will give it to you straight—the Bible. When Moses ascended Mount Sinai to meet with God, he longed for a clearer vision of the majesty of heaven. Hidden in the cleft of a rock, the Lord passed by Moses and proclaimed the truth: “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth” (Exodus 34:6).

God has been given a bad rap by the devil. But it’s a monster myth. Check it out in the Bible. It tells the truth … and it won’t bite you either!